Welcoming The Lord-Lieutenant
On 9th September 2021, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire Nigel Atkinson visited Southampton Science Park for a tour in the company of Chairman Mark Spearing, CEO Robin Chave, and Business Development Director Jane Holt.
Mr Atkinson said: “Having attended Southampton Science Park earlier this year to present Tonic Analytics with a Queens Award for Enterprise, I was keen to return to explore further and learn more about the innovative companies based there, and I wasn’t disappointed. I met with start-up Maverick Aviation, a fast-growing enterprise AudioScenic, a European company Tekever, and global organisation Promega. It’s clear to me that these exciting businesses, along with the others that choose the Science Park as their business home, have an enviable place to work and limitless opportunities to progress within this vibrant community.”
Robin Chave commented: “It was a great pleasure to welcome the Lord Lieutenant back to the Science Park and I was proud to demonstrate to him how we create the foundations for successful businesses and support their growth every step of the way. It was clear that Mr Atkinson was inspired by the companies he visited, all of whom amply demonstrate the role that the Science Park plays in the UK’s innovation ecosystem. For the companies based here, it’s not just a business journey but a property journey as we create the capacity to build teams from desk space through to bespoke headquarters.”
Promega, a global leader in life sciences, has had a UK base at Southampton Science Park since 1989, occupying leased office and laboratory space until mid-2019 when it invested in purpose-built premises to facilitate expansion and opportunities for staff.
Tekever chose Benham 5, the newest multi-occupancy addition to the Science Park estate, as its UK head office. The company specialises in advanced aerial unmanned vehicles and inter-satellite and ground communications for civilian and military markets.
AudioScenic, a former Catalyst company, is now based in Epsilon House in specially soundproofed space. Having attracted £1.5m investment and secured contracts with global household names, this business which specialises in 3D audio technology is one to watch.
Maverick, a pre-revenue start-up with great potential, came to the Science Park in 2020 to participate in the Catalyst business accelerator programme and has now taken flexible desk space in the Innovation Centre to work on its personal aerial mobility systems.